Your roof can make or break the overall value of your home. If it complements the rest of your home’s architecture, it can give that value a boost. If the roof clashes with your home exterior, it can be an eyesore. One way you might approach designing your roof is by using roof shingles. Shingles are rectangular pieces of a certain material that are overlapped upon one another when placed on a roof. Roof shingles come in many different materials, but today we will show you four different types of roof shingles for your home.
Why Get Roof Shingles?
Before we dive into the four different types of roof shingles worth considering for installation, let’s take a moment to explore the advantages of a shingled roof. The first major perk of a shingled roof is that it’s easy to install due to shingles being lightweight. Speaking of installation, you only need to replace individual shingles that are damaged rather than completely replace your whole roof.
Another major perk of roof shingles is their durability. Most shingle materials can withstand high wind levels and severe weather conditions. Some shingles are also resistant to algal growth and other water damage. Roof shingles can be made of any kind of material that helps increase their lifespan, it only comes down to the material itself.
Durability and easy installation and repair are just two of the many benefits of getting a shingled roof. There are so many more to consider, but now it’s time to look at a third benefit in greater depth: the variety of choices available in design for your roof shingles.
4 Different Types Of Roof Shingles
As previously stated, there is a lot of freedom in design when it comes to roof shingles, and that can be partly attributed to how shingles can come in a variety of materials. While shingles can be made of more than eighteen different kinds of materials, for now, we will focus on sharing the qualities of four of them.
Asphalt
The most common roof shingle material is asphalt. Asphalt shingles are also very versatile when it comes to color options and are available in three different subcategories of asphalt shingles: architectural, 3-tab asphalt, and fiberglass asphalt shingles. The one downside of asphalt shingles is that they have a shorter lifespan than other shingles materials, anywhere between fifteen to twenty years. Even so, certain types of asphalt shingles can bring their own unique benefits, such as hail resistance. It all depends on the type of asphalt roof shingles you choose.
Wood
The second of the different types of roof shingles we’ll take a look at is wood shingles. These shingles are often made of composite materials or long-lasting, durable wood such as cedar, giving them a longer lifespan than asphalt shingles at thirty to forty years. The primary drawback of wood shingles is the increased fire hazard unless the rest of your home makes up for it by being up to code. If you manage to keep your house up to code, even with wood shingles, it can give your home a nice rustic look.
Metal
Do you want shingles with a longer lifespan than wood or asphalt? Do you want something both fire and waterproof? Are you picturing a roof with shingles that can be customized to any kind of look you have in mind?
If you’re asking any or all three of these questions, then metal roof shingles might just be the answer. These shingles have a lifespan of 50-100 years, can come in many different colors, and be customized to match any exterior design, especially if it’s modern. That said, metal roof shingles are some of the most expensive, so make sure there is room in your budget to install them in your home first.
Solar
Finally, if you want to make your home more energy-efficient, then solar roof shingles are now an option. They are great if you are looking to convert your home to solar energy, which will, in turn, reduce your energy bills. However, solar shingles must be applied in combination with other roof shingle materials and only have a lifespan of anywhere from twenty to twenty-five years.
Our Roofers Are The Best In Houston!
We just looked at four out of many different types of roof shingles that can improve the quality and value of your home. Other shingles materials include but are not limited to clay, concrete, steel, tile, slate, and many more. In terms of determining which of the different types of roof shingles will work best for your home, you need to consider the current style of your home, the amount of maintenance and upkeep you are willing to commit to, and your budget. Once you know which roof shingles you want for your home, contact us at Houston Home Remodeling for the best roofers in Texas!
713-325-0077